Thursday, October 29, 2009

So exhausted from work, got a project the whole night I've been working at. Thank God we've finished one. On my line of work, some of the tasks are usually done at night, as not to affect much of the services our client provides to their customers. I remembered while still in Colombia, one instance while on a travel back home from site due to work finished late at night. I'm on a near sleep on the car seat that time, when suddenly, out of silence, a colleague brought out a statement (maybe out of exhaustion from work) that made me awake and got me thinking."why money was invented after all...."I joked back. I said, "Well, we're luckier today, at least you don't have to pay a sack of rice or wheat for a burger."We're in the times of convenience. Before, when paper money was still unknown, people learnt to trade in order to meet their demands. On our history books when people trade just about anything for a change of their goods - farm animals, gold, hand-woven clothes and even their slaves. Life is simpler then, but too heavy for me. Simpler, for you only have to meet basic demands of your family to survive - food and a shelter. But times change, and people change. Its not enough for today you bring home a bread for dinner, or build a home for the kids & the wife. You have to keep on track of the fast phase. Today, you get a job based on your skills and could earn more. You can start paying for a car, have your house renovated, and buy things that pleases you.But it doesn't stops there, it makes you want more. Though Life is easier now but much more complicated, different needs are constantly piling up, majority of them caused by money. We keep on working longer hours than required to earn more. And even work away as far as half of the globe for same reason. I can't blame my friend for his sentiments, but neither I couldn't complain of the present situation today, for I chose to stay on the rat race.And it's all because of money.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Just got a new job, new challenges to face. I'm having jitters right now; it’s like the first time I left Ph for work. This will be my third assignment out of the country, but now, I got it with a burden in my heart. As soon as I received my contract, mixed emotions came pouring in. I'm glad for being selected despite numerous CVs around with same competency and could even be more of an expert than Iám, and so thankful to God for giving me another chance to prove myself of the things I could do better. He did answer my prayer. But at the same moment, I got sad for leaving again.

I'll miss people at home.

It is our nature on keeping wanting more than what we needed. On a reality check, we really never get contented. We kept on wishing for things on different reasons, be it for your own goals, for your family's future or simply out of your previous work's boredom. You earn more, and spend more. You thought your work does not appropriate you, and keep on wishing for a task you might find yourself better fit into. As for me, I gave up my former job due to financial lures on working abroad, but have to pay the price though - working far away from my loved ones. I may be well compensated, and a chance of living in another country is not possible, but isn't my family at home is the reason for all of these in the first place? So I set myself a limit, and be sure to be with my family every after a contract, for its not forever I'll be with them. It may lose me a few months’ salary, but spending moments with them is priceless, and being able to do things for them personally is incomparable. I may have some idle moments that I yearn to work again, and my prayers didn't fail me. And true, work does come in to people who strive to find them. God do provide you what you basically need, one at a time.

My heart will be heavy until I leave in two weeks, but am hopeful that it will only be for awhile. Until I see their smiles and be able to touch them again. Dear Lord, please help me to get through.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

I pity her, she seems afflicted with ADHD syndrome. Maybe she'll realize her mistakes later on. Yubin, you are not ugly, you're damn ugliest! Laughing over someone else's misfortunes is rude, I hope it'll not go back on you harder.

I'm on roller coaster ride of emotions these days, and found this song for a refuge. Just how soon is so soon? Isn't it ironic on things that what we've been wishing all this time but find them just too much once it's recieved? I'm happy for a new challenge coming in but why feeling sad on leaving again?

Saturday, October 17, 2009

I've always been against smoking. I hate the smell of nicotine, the smoke scent clinging on my hair and clothes once you're exposed to it. You might find me drinking wine occasionally, but you'll never catch me smoking. So what must a tobacco-hater like me to do about it? Stay away from a smoker, that is. Easier said than done, especially when you're left with no choice but to be with them.

I'm deeply concerned on children living with smoking parents, as kids could inhale the second-hand smoke. Its like smoking first hand, with the effects as much as lethal. On an instance when I happened to ride on a public transportation, sitting next with a guy carrying a child on one hand, and holding a cigar on the other. I'm not a parent yet, but I guess, any normal adult know that children exposed to smoke could alter their development, physically and mentally. Children look up on their parents as someone they could be like on times they're developing awareness around their environment. See a father hurting people, and more probably, expect his child to be a batterer as well. Moreso on smoking, as children could develop the habit, turning themselves into the same addiction their parents have been to.

Some got into the habit through peer pressure. I knew someone who's been into a group who smoke during their break from work. She eventually turn herself into smoking for blending in. I always ask her to stop, and will never stop nagging. Would you let your loved ones keep hurting themselves?

I want to help people stop smoking. Everyone else know there's nothing good in this habit. Some did realized it later and had been successful on quitting, but some just got in late. Just like my father. He succumbed to a sickness caused by almost 2 decades of smoking. Though none of my siblings smoke, isn't it bad enough to lose someone so soon? I tried a stick once, but thank God it didn't turn out fine, I choked bad on first puff.

Friday, October 16, 2009

Whatever you give a woman, she will make greater. If you give her sperm, she'll give you a baby. If you give her a house, she'll give you a home. If you give her groceries, she'll give you a meal. If you give her a smile, she'll give you her heart. She multiplies and enlarges what is given to her. So, if you give her any crap, be ready to receive a ton of shit. (Author Unknown)Enough Said.

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Amidst the devastating typhoon our beloved Philippines has endured, there is still hope despite of it all. As people all join hands in sharing everything and providing relief donations in any kind, the spirit of Bayanihan lives on. I'm glad a Filipino made it to the 2009 CNN's Top Ten Heroes, setting another example of nothing too small of a help that can uplift lives of others especially on our future generations - the Filipino kids.

His name is Efren Peñaflorida, Jr. A once an out-of-school youth and later became a school teacher despite of poverty, now extending his hands on unfortunate kids through his "Kariton Classrooms". He established the group Dynamic Teen Company, an organization he started out since he's sixteen, and now a 10,000 member group on a goal of getting poor kids into studying as a tool for progress, by providing free tutorials on basic reading and writing.

Let's help Efren made it to CNN Real Heroes award by voting online, and let everybody know, Change is really Possible. Click here to vote:

Saturday, October 10, 2009

What comes first into your mind when you think of Malabon? Flood. Yep, it is forever a part of the city. But on foodie people like me, Malabon has a share of fame for authentic Pinoy cuisine.

My brother and his family will be visiting us tomorrow and Atcha wants me to buy something they'll take home with. This is sort of a practice in our family, that on every visit, a take-home goodie was always present. So I went to Concepcion, Malabon to buy some Dolor's Sapin Sapin and Quekiam...

I didn't know any Kakanin as good as Dolor's, with their famous native dessert Sapin-Sapin (layer pie made of pasty rice flour, cooked with coconut milk, eggs and milk). Just recently they opened branches in SM malls (Megamall, North Edsa, Sucat, Southmall, Sta. Mesa, Fairview, Manila) and one in Trinoma foodcourt, a good move on catering their ever growing fans of their products from all over the Metro. Not only they sell Sapin-sapin but also on variety of rice cakes, kutsinta, halayang ube, the ever famous Pansit Malabon and others (I heard they're into commercial baking also of pastries). Shelf life is 2-3 days in a ref, but I bet this one won't take long in the fridge once you've tasted it, harharhar!

Very rarely you'll encounter in your near grocery stall this type of Quekiam that is common in markets of Malabon. These are good to eat with the sweet and sour garlic sauce. For the know, Quekiam is a Chinese dish, consisting of ground pork or shrimp and vegetables, wrapped in bean curd, fried to a golden brown. I'm a rice lover so I'd like to have this with yang chow rice, měi wèi de!

You think how lucky our visitors will be on having them? I got envy though, so I bought mine as well ;o).

Monday, October 5, 2009

Feeling dull today. Gloomy just like the skies, as the weather is still unpredictable as well as my mood since I viewed my account this morning and saw my bloody red portfolio on my share holdings. Damn.

Later that day, I was supposed to go outside and meet someone for dinner, but changed my mind in an instant, i cleaned my room instead. Its always been a outlet for me to sweat out my annoyed soul. The conversation that started as a simple text message ended up into heated banter again. Just that I realized again for the nth time, what made me a monster today?

Could I blame it on my PMS (pre-menstrual syndrome) since yesterday? The intolerable pain on my lower torso, that's been slaving me to Ibupropen for the past 2 decades of my life? Plus the perks of headache, nausiness and acidity associated with it.

Or could it be on the down shares I availed recently? This morning, it was jockeyed lower into all other holder's terror. Too late for me to cut loss then. One holding that's been added again on my lists for a longer term harvest.Talk about patience, tsk tsk.

Or, just things didn't went out as what I expect? There has been arguments again between me and him. As oppose to what "some" friends and family members see me as a normal girl, B really brought out the better, sweeter and also the monster of me. Our heated discussion went again from a simple catching on a day's work to the nth time of topics on prioritizing things. Brought out on a norm living, sorrounded by good-natured friends, developed my attitude of expecting things as they are planned on. I'm currently into a relationship testing the waters of endurance, patience, understanding and acceptance. He's still a different person and has been like that before we even met. I'm still on the amateur part despite the 5year term, perhaps to stitch the seventh year line? Until when will I learn to accept, and until when He'll understand?

Let's see on what painkillers and the market movements can do tomorrow. Should the typhoon winds change direction heading to calm, so is my agitated mood to relax. Care for a mood management with me?

Friday, October 2, 2009

To the woman who smell the sweetest scent, whose the most beautiful creature God has given on earth, whose smiles can take away pains of wounds, whose hands can heal and soften a heart, who cooks the best dishes, whose face a morning angel, whose name the heart always calls upon...Nanay, Happy Birthday. Though you're not with us anymore, it will take a lifetime to cherish you.

Found yourself alone? There's this time in your single life when you just feel away on empty space. On my case that since I've quit my full time job for seasonal projects, there's been some difficulty meeting up my boyfiend, friends and relatives who do their regular 9-5 shifts or simply occupied with their own family. On most days that I have my free time, that's also the days I'm most alone. Also on friends with grown-up kids with a world of their own at school, being left at an empty nest didn't mean full isolation, but a chance to rediscover oneself and make use of it. I'm not ms. List for nothing so here's my own list to shoo away boredom from you.

1. Develop a hobby you've been yearning to do. I'm a frustrated writer back my younger years, my catch on English has noticeably been dwindling due to my previous work abroad and mingling with locals (hence, learning their native language as well). Aside from outpouring my thoughts and emotions, what a way to have a grip of practice on English since I can't speak them here at home.

2. Join an organization/group at your place. Be it on environmental concerns or a sports team, its also a way of getting to know more of your next-door neighbor who shares same passion as you do.

3. Volunteer Work. This one your extra time do mean a lot to other people you've helped up. Recent calamities that needed extra hands for repacking relief goods, or help building a shelter for homeless families, the lists of volunteer work are endless.

4. Travel. Find this one too expensive? Not at all if you plan ahead of time, you can save a lot booking your flights on early reservation promos the airlines offer, and do your research on hotels/inns that offer cheap thrills for budget-conscious traveller. This one is better if you join a backpacking club.

5. Visiting old folks. Rekindling family ties by simply dropping by your old relatives house will do good on your old folks health.

6. Redecorating your home.

7. Study. Life is like an endless pages of a book just awaiting to be explored, be it on religious aspect or on practical things you want to get on through, like being a Chef, its always nice to learn anew.

8. Get yourself a make over. Before when the only luxury my hair gets is a comb, I've got more time to fix it and get on hot oils. Due to time demands I had from my regular job that a quick shower is enough, I began to develop some "me" time during bath, with the luxury of time on my hands. Trips to the spa now is possible for a soothing massage i tend to include on my bi-monthly routine. I cannot tell until when "Me" time will last but I do get a grab of it while its mine, until some of my Life list is accomplished (like having a partner or a child, or getting into work again).

I have these options working on me, I hope it goes well with you also. :-)

About Me

Learning to live and enjoy life...an impatient bride...an aspiring social worker...a daytime dreamer...perfectly imperfect person...loves to travel and eating out cheap...and a loving daughter. Left her 5- year full time position as an secluded-office desk engineer in and joined the contracting world, has stayed in 6 countries and wanting to explore more...Thanks for visiting my blog and feel free to leave comments.